Easy Weaving Projects: 13 Cozy Handwoven Pieces Anyone Can Make This Winter
Easy weaving projects are the cozy craft of the season, and the numbers prove it. A big online craft marketplace says searches for hand woven items are up 230 percent this holiday season, and searches for DIY activities have jumped by a stunning 8,500 percent, according to a holiday trend report published on October 21. People want slow, handmade things again, and weaving is one of the easiest ways to start. You do not need a fancy loom. A piece of cardboard, a ball of yarn and a blunt needle are enough for your first wall hanging. Below are 13 cozy pieces to try this winter, from coasters and bookmarks to a little snowy tapestry. Many make lovely gifts, and most can be finished in one evening on the couch. Grab some yarn and let’s get weaving..
Easy Weaving Projects to Start Your Winter
Imagine a table covered with soft handmade pieces: a fringed wall hanging, a stack of bright coasters, a round hoop weaving, a little woven tree and a paper basket. Every one of them started with simple over and under stitches. That is the beauty of easy weaving projects. Once you learn that one motion, you can make almost anything. Pick the project that makes you smile and gather a few colors you love. Which one will you try first. Want more like this? Try our paper christmas trees..
You will need: a few balls of yarn in colors you love, a large blunt plastic needle, scissors, a piece of sturdy cardboard.
How to make it: 1. Pick three yarn colors that look good together. 2. Choose one small project from this list. 3. Set aside one evening to learn the over and under motion.
A Cardboard Loom Wall Hanging With Fringe
This is the classic first project. Cut small notches at the top and bottom of a piece of cardboard, wrap it with yarn and you have a loom. Weave rows in different colors and finish with a row of long fringe. Slide it off, tie it to a stick and hang it on the wall. It is one of the most satisfying easy weaving projects because it looks so stylish. What colors would you choose? You can mix it with our cardboard loom gifts for extra charm.
You will need: a piece of sturdy cardboard, a ruler, scissors, yarn, a blunt needle, a wooden dowel or stick.
How to make it: 1. Cut notches every half inch along the top and bottom of the cardboard and wrap yarn through them. 2. Weave over and under across the threads, changing colors as you like. 3. Add fringe at the bottom, slide it off and tie it to a dowel.
A Woven Christmas Tree Wall Hanging
A small woven tree is a sweet holiday decoration for a door, a wall or a kid’s room. Weave rows in several greens, getting shorter as you go up, to make the tree shape. Add tiny pompoms as ornaments and a little yellow star at the top. It is a gentle project to make while holiday movies play, and one of the most festive easy weaving projects you can try. Where would you hang yours? Pair it with our small room tricks for a full set.
You will need: a cardboard loom, green yarn in a few shades, yellow yarn, tiny pompoms, glue, a small dowel.
How to make it: 1. Weave a wide row of green at the bottom and make each row a little shorter. 2. Finish with a point and a few stitches of yellow for the star. 3. Glue on pompoms and tie it to the dowel.
Easy Weaving Projects for Loop Coasters
Woven loop coasters are fast, fun and useful. Cotton loops stretch over a small square loom, and you weave them over and under in a checkerboard. In a few minutes you have a thick, soft coaster. Make a set in matching colors for a gift. These easy weaving projects are great for kids too, with an adult nearby. How many will you make?
You will need: a small square loom or a frame with pegs, cotton fabric loops, a crochet hook to finish the edge.
How to make it: 1. Stretch loops across the loom in one direction. 2. Weave more loops over and under in the other direction. 3. Chain the edge loops off the pegs with the crochet hook.
Easy Weaving Projects in an Embroidery Hoop
An embroidery hoop makes a perfect round loom. Tie threads across the hoop like the spokes of a wheel and weave in circles from the center out. The rings of color look like a little sunrise. Leave it in the hoop and it is ready to hang. Try a few in different sizes for a pretty wall group. Which colors would you circle together?
You will need: a wooden embroidery hoop, cotton string, yarn in three colors, a blunt needle.
How to make it: 1. Tie string across the hoop in an odd number of spokes that meet in the center. 2. Weave yarn over and under the spokes in circles. 3. Change colors as you grow outward and tie off at the edge.
Easy Weaving Projects on a Branch
A forked branch from the yard can be a loom too. Wrap string between the two arms of the branch and weave natural colored yarn back and forth. Add a few feathers or bits of dried grass for texture. It brings a bit of the outdoors inside and costs nothing at all. Of all the easy weaving projects, this is the most natural. What would you weave into yours?
You will need: a forked branch, cotton string, cream and brown yarn, feathers or dried grass, a blunt needle.
How to make it: 1. Wrap string back and forth between the two arms of the branch. 2. Weave yarn over and under the strings. 3. Tuck in feathers or grass as you go and tie a hanging loop at the top.
Paper Weaving Placemats for Kids and Adults
Paper weaving is where many of us first learned this craft in school. Cut slits in one sheet of paper and weave strips of another color through it. The result is a bright checkerboard placemat. Kids can make one for each person at a holiday table. Cover them with clear contact paper so they wipe clean. What colors would your family pick?
You will need: construction paper in several colors, scissors, a ruler, a pencil, glue stick, clear contact paper.
How to make it: 1. Fold one sheet in half and cut slits from the fold, stopping an inch from the edge. 2. Unfold it and weave paper strips over and under through the slits. 3. Glue the ends and cover the mat with contact paper.
A Woven Ribbon Wreath
A wire wreath frame has rings that are perfect for weaving ribbon through. Weave red and green ribbon in and out around the circle and you get a full, cheerful wreath. Add a big bow at the top and it is ready for the front door. Wide satin ribbon gives a soft look, while plaid ribbon feels more rustic. It also works with fall or spring colors. Which ribbon colors would you use?
You will need: a wire wreath frame, two or three rolls of ribbon, scissors, a hot glue gun on low (adult help) or wire.
How to make it: 1. Tie the end of the ribbon to the frame. 2. Weave it over and under the wire rings, going around the whole frame. 3. Secure the end and add a bow at the top.
A T Shirt Rag Rug on a Hula Hoop
Old t shirts become a soft, colorful rug when you weave them on a hula hoop. Cut the shirts into loops and strips, stretch the loops across the hoop and weave strips around and around. It is a great way to reuse clothes that are too worn to donate. Easy weaving projects like this one turn scraps into something you use every day. A small round rug looks sweet in a bathroom or by the bed. How many old shirts are waiting in your closet?
You will need: a hula hoop, 6 to 10 old t shirts, fabric scissors.
How to make it: 1. Cut shirts across the body into loops and stretch them across the hoop like spokes. 2. Cut more shirts into long strips. 3. Weave the strips over and under the spokes in circles and tie it off at the hoop.
A Woven Bookmark From Scrap Yarn
Tiny projects are perfect for leftover yarn. A woven bookmark takes only a small cardboard loom and a few colors. Add a tassel at the bottom and slip it into a book for a thoughtful little gift. They are great stocking stuffers for book lovers. If you love yarn crafts, our easy crochet projects are full of quick ideas too. Who would you make one for?
You will need: a small piece of cardboard, scrap yarn, a blunt needle, scissors.
How to make it: 1. Notch a strip of cardboard about two inches wide and wrap it with yarn. 2. Weave stripes of color up the strip. 3. Slide it off, knot the ends and add a tassel.
A Basket Woven From Paper Strips
You can weave a sturdy little basket from strips of paper. Kraft paper or old grocery bags work well. Weave a flat base, fold the strips up and keep weaving around the sides. A coat of glue mixed with water makes it stronger. Brown paper gives a warm, natural look that goes with almost any room. It is perfect for holding pine cones, small gifts or desk supplies. What would you keep in yours?
You will need: brown kraft paper or paper bags, scissors, a ruler, clothespins, white glue mixed with water, a brush.
How to make it: 1. Cut strips about one inch wide and weave a flat square base. 2. Fold the strips up and weave more strips around the sides, holding them with clothespins. 3. Brush on the glue mix and let it dry.
Woven Yarn Star Ornaments
Wrapping yarn around crossed sticks creates bright woven stars that look lovely on a tree. Start with two or three thin sticks tied in the middle, then wrap yarn around each stick in turn. The colors build into a pattern like magic. These are among the easy weaving projects kids remember for years. They also make sweet gifts for teachers and neighbors. What colors would your stars be? Pair it with our vintage christmas ornaments for a full set.
You will need: thin wooden sticks or craft sticks, yarn in bright colors, scissors, a dab of glue.
How to make it: 1. Tie two or three sticks together in the center to make a star shape. 2. Wrap yarn once around each stick in turn, moving outward. 3. Change colors as you like, tie off and add a loop for hanging.
Easy Weaving Projects for a Winter Tapestry
We finish with a little scene. Weave a pale blue sky, soft white hills of snow and a few dark green trees, and you have a winter landscape you can hang all season. Use thick white yarn for the snow so it looks fluffy. It is a small picture made by hand, and it feels very special. Of all these easy weaving projects, this one makes the best gift. Who would you give it to?
You will need: a cardboard loom, pale blue, white and dark green yarn, a blunt needle, a small dowel.
How to make it: 1. Weave a few rows of white at the bottom in a wavy hill shape. 2. Fill the space above with pale blue for the sky. 3. Add small triangles of green for trees and tie the weaving to the dowel.
